Visakhapatnam: BJP Andhra Pradesh unit president and Rajahmundry MP Daggubati Purandeswari on Wednesday urged Union Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy to merge Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Purandeswari, former Union Minister of State for Commerce, met Kumaraswamy in New Delhi and urged him to consider takeover of RINL and NMDC Nagarnar Steel Plant in Chattisgarh by SAIL.

She said the takeover will facilitate creation of a new powerhouse in the Indian steel industry, positioning it as a 'Jewel of India.' Nagarnar plant has a capacity of three million tonnes whereas VSP has a capacity of 7.3 million tonnes per annum. In a representation, she said, "I am herewith enclosing a strategic proposal for the takeover of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (RINL Vizag) and Nagarnar Steel Plant (Chhattisgarh) by the SAIL aiming to create a new powerhouse in the Indian steel industry." Interestingly, the representation was signed by Union Minister of State for Steel and Anakapalle MP C.M. Ramesh (both MPs from Andhra Pradesh) and Kasi Viswanatha Raju, independent Director, SAIL and BJP State general secretary. All of them also were present during the brief interaction with Kumaraswamy.

Purandeswari said the takeover will not only expedite the National Steel Policy 2017 targets but also integrate and optimise resources, resulting in increased profitability of the RIN's Vizag plant. "We believe that this strategic move will significantly benefit the Indian steel industry and the country as a whole. We look forward to your kind consideration and favorable response to this proposal," she stated in the representation.